Support base for a child safety seat

ABSTRACT

A support base for a child safety seat includes a support leg, a first and a second locking mechanism, and a linking assembly. The support leg includes three segments that are telescopically connected with one another via a first and a second sliding connection. The first locking mechanism includes a first latch for locking and unlocking the first sliding connection, and a first actuating part operable to cause the first latch to unlock the first sliding connection. The second locking mechanism includes a second latch for locking and unlocking the second sliding connection, and a second actuating part operable to cause the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection. The linking assembly operatively couples the first locking mechanism to the second locking mechanism so that the first and second sliding connections can be unlocked concurrently with one single operating step.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.62/675,970 filed on May 24, 2018, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to child safety seats.

2. Description of the Related Art

Child safety seats currently available on the market may include a childseat that can be attached to a support base for easy installation on avehicle seat. In some existing products, the support base may beassembled with latch devices that can attach to the anchor structure ofthe vehicle for restrictedly positioning the support base on a vehicleseat. In addition, the support base may have a support leg that can bedeployed to contact a vehicle floor. When a vehicle accident occurs, thesupport leg can thereby transfer energy to the vehicle floor. Becausethe vehicle floor may not have a uniform height, the support leg usuallyhas multiple sections that are adjustable to shorten or extend thelength of the support leg as needed. However, the multiple sections ofthe support leg generally require actuation of multiple release buttonsfor adjusting the support leg. This may cause confusion, which mayresult in improper installation of the support base in a vehicle.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved design that is moreconvenient to operate, and address at least the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

The present application describes a support base for a child safety seatthat has a support leg more convenient to operate for adjustment.

According to one aspect, the support base includes a support legoperable to retract and expand at a bottom of the support base, a firstand a second locking mechanism, and a linking assembly. The support legincludes a plurality of segments telescopically connected with oneanother via a plurality of sliding connections, the sliding connectionsincluding a first and a second sliding connection, each of the first andsecond sliding connections respectively coupling two adjacent ones ofthe segments. The first locking mechanism includes a first latch and afirst actuating part connected with each other, the first latch beingoperable to lock the first sliding connection for preventing relativesliding between the two segments of the first sliding connection and tounlock the first sliding connection for relative sliding adjustmentbetween the two segments of the first sliding connection, and the firstactuating part being operable to urge the first latch to move forunlocking the first sliding connection. The second locking mechanismincludes a second latch and a second actuating part connected with eachother, the second latch being operable to lock the second slidingconnection for preventing relative sliding between the two segments ofthe second sliding connection and to unlock the second slidingconnection for relative sliding adjustment between the two segments ofthe second sliding connection, and the second actuating part beingoperable to urge the second latch to move for unlocking the secondsliding connection. The linking assembly couples the first lockingmechanism to the second locking mechanism so that a movement of thefirst actuating part for urging the first latch to unlock the firstsliding connection causes the second actuating part to move concurrentlyfor urging the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection.

According to another aspect, the support base includes a support legoperable to retract and expand at a bottom of the support base, a firstand a second locking mechanism, and a linking assembly. The support legincludes a first, a second and a third segment, the first and secondsegments being coupled to each other via a first sliding connection, andthe second and third segments being coupled to each other via a secondsliding connection. The first locking mechanism is assembled with thefirst segment and includes a first latch and a first actuating partconnected with each other, the first latch being operable to lock thefirst sliding connection for preventing relative sliding between thefirst and second segments and to unlock the first sliding connection forrelative sliding adjustment between the first and second segments, andthe first actuating part being operable to urge the first latch to movefor unlocking the first sliding connection. The second locking mechanismis assembled with the second segment and includes a second latch and asecond actuating part connected with each other, the second latch beingoperable to lock the second sliding connection for preventing relativesliding between the second and third segments and to unlock the secondsliding connection for relative sliding adjustment between the secondand third segments, and the second actuating part being operable to urgethe second latch to move for unlocking the second sliding connection.The linking assembly couples the first locking mechanism to the secondlocking mechanism so that a movement of the first actuating part forurging the first latch to unlock the first sliding connection causes thesecond actuating part to move concurrently for urging the second latchto unlock the second sliding connection, the linking assembly extendingalong a lengthwise axis of the support leg past the second lockingmechanism and looping back for connection with the second lockingmechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a support base for achild safety seat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a support leg used in thesupport base shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating further construction details oftwo locking mechanisms provided in the support leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a support base 100for a child safety seat. Referring to FIG. 1, the support base 100 caninclude a shell 102, latch devices 104 and a support leg 106. The shell102 can include one or more rigid casing portions attached to eachother. Exemplary materials suitable for making the shell 102 may includerigid plastic materials. The shell 102 can have a bottom 108 suitablefor placement on a vehicle seat, and an upper surface 110 suitable forreceiving the installation of a child seat (not shown). For example, theupper surface 110 of the shell 102 can include a plurality of cavities112 in which corresponding portions of a child seat may be received andlocked in position. In some embodiments, the upper surface 110 of theshell 102 may be carried by a sliding platform movable back and forthrelative to a lower portion of the shell 102 for adjustment of a childseat installed on the support base 100.

The latch devices 104 may be assembled with the shell 102 adjacent to aleft and a right side of the shell 102 at an end 114A of the shell 102.The latch devices 104 are operable to releasably engage with an anchorstructure (e.g., ISOFIX anchor) provided in a vehicle to lock thesupport base 100 in place on a vehicle seat.

Referring to FIG. 1, the support leg 106 is connected with the shell 102at an end 114B thereof opposite to the end edge 114A, and is operable toexpand and retract at the bottom 108 of the support base 100. In use,the support leg 106 can be expanded to protrude downward from the bottom108 for contacting against a floor of a vehicle. When the support leg106 is not used, the support leg 106 can be retracted toward the bottom108 of the shell 108.

In conjunction with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating aconstruction of the support leg 106. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, thesupport leg 106 can have a lengthwise axis Z, and include a plurality ofsegments 116 telescopically connected with one another via a pluralityof sliding connections 118. The segments 116 can be made of rigidmaterials, which can exemplary include metallic materials. According toan example of construction, the support leg 106 can include threesegments 116A, 116B and 116C, a sliding connection 118A can couple thetwo adjacent segments 116A and 116B, another sliding connection 118B cancouple the two adjacent segments 116B and 116C, and the segment 116C canbe pivotally connected with the shell 102 about a pivot axis X. Thesupport leg 106 can thereby rotate relative to the shell 102 for foldingtoward the bottom 108 of the shell 102 or deploying downward for use,and the segments 116A, 116B and 116C can slide relative to one anotheralong the lengthwise axis Z for expanding or shortening the support leg106. When the support leg 106 is expanded for use, the segment 116B canform an intermediate segment extending between the segments 116A and116C, and the segments 116A and 116C respectively form a bottom and atop segment of the support leg 106. When the support leg 106 isretracted, the segment 116A can be retracted toward the interior of thesegment 116B, and the segment 116B can be retracted toward the interiorof the segment 116C so as to shorten the support leg 106.

In conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 is an exploded viewillustrating two locking mechanisms 120 and 122 provided in the supportleg 106. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the locking mechanism 120 is operableto lock and unlock the sliding connection 118A (i.e., lock and unlockthe segment 116A with respect to the segment 116B), and the lockingmechanism 122 is operable to lock and unlock the sliding connection 118B(i.e., lock and unlock the segment 116B with respect to the segment116C).

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the locking mechanism 120 can be assembled withthe segment 116A, and can include two latches 124, an actuating part126, a spring 128 and an actuating button 130.

The latches 124 can lock the sliding connection 118A for preventingrelative sliding between the two segments 116A and 116B of the slidingconnection 118A, and unlock the sliding connection 118A for relativesliding adjustment between the two segments 116A and 116B of the slidingconnection 118A. According to an example of construction, the latches124 may be assembled with the segment 116A so that each latch 124 canmove relative to the segment 116A to engage with and disengage from anyone of multiple openings 132 provided on the segment 116B forrespectively locking and unlocking the sliding connection 118A. Forexample, the segment 116A may be fixedly connected with a support mount134, and the latches 124 may be assembled with the support mount 134 ofthe segment 116A for sliding transversally along an axis Y1substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise axis Z of the support leg106. The latches 124 can slide away from each other to engage with twoopenings 132 for locking the sliding connection 118A, and can slidetoward each other to disengage from the openings 132 for unlockingsliding connection 118A.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the actuating button 130 can be exposed onthe segment 116A for operation, and is operable to push the actuatingpart 126 to slide in the second direction D2 for urging the latches 124to unlock the sliding connection 118A. For example, the actuating button130 may be slidably assembled with the segment 116A adjacent to a distalend of the segment 116A, and can contact with a ramped surface 140 ofthe actuating part 126 for pushing the actuating part 126 to slide inthe second direction D2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spring 128 can be respectively connected withthe segment 116A and the actuating part 126. The spring 128 can bias theactuating part 126 to slide in the direction D1 for urging the latches124 to lock the sliding connection 118A.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the actuating button 130 can be exposed onthe segment 116A for operation, and is operable to push the actuatingpart 126 to slide in the second direction D2 for urging the latches 124to unlock the sliding connection 118A. For example, the actuating button130 may be slidably assembled with the segment 116A adjacent to at adistal end of the segment 116A, and can contact with a ramped surface140 of the actuating part 126 for pushing the actuating part 126 toslide in the second direction D2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the locking mechanism 122 can be assembled with thesegment 116B, and can include two latches 144, an actuating part 146 anda spring 148. The latches 144 and the actuating part 146 can beassembled with the segment 116B in a manner similar to the latches 124and the actuating part 126 described previously.

Referring to FIG. 3, the latches 144 can lock the sliding connection118B for preventing relative sliding between the two segments 116B and116C of the sliding connection 118B, and unlock the sliding connection118B for relative sliding adjustment between the two segments 116B and116C of the sliding connection 118B. The latches 144 may be assembledwith the segment 116B so that each latch 144 can move relative to thesegment 116B to engage with and disengage from any one of multipleopenings 152 provided on the segment 116C for respectively locking andunlocking the sliding connection 118B. For example, the segment 116B maybe fixedly connected with a support mount 154, and the latches 144 maybe assembled with the support mount 154 of the segment 116B for slidingtransversally along an axis Y2 substantially orthogonal to thelengthwise axis Z of the support leg 106. The axis Y2 of movement of thelatches 144 can be parallel to the axis Y1 of movement of the latches124. Likewise, the latches 144 can slide away from each other to engagewith any two openings 152 for locking the sliding connection 118B, andcan slide toward each other to disengage from the openings 152 forunlocking the sliding connection 118B.

The actuating part 146 is assembled with the segment 116B for slidingalong the lengthwise axis Z of the support leg 106 relative to thesegment 116B. According to an example of construction, the actuatingpart 146 may be formed as a single part having an elongate shape. Theactuating part 146 may have one or more guide slot 147, and the supportmount 154 may have one or more pin 149 slidably disposed through theguide slot 147 so that the actuating part 146 can be guided for slidingalong the lengthwise axis Z. Moreover, the actuating part 146 isconnected with the latches 144, and is operable to urge the latches 144to move for unlocking the sliding connection 118B. For example, theactuating part 146 may have two symmetric guide slots 156 that aretilted an angle relative to the lengthwise axis Z, and the latches 144can be respectively connected fixedly with protruding pins 158 that arerespectively guided for sliding along the guide slots 156. The actuatingpart 146 can thereby slide relative to the segment 116B in the firstdirection D1 for urging the latches 144 to lock the sliding connection118B, and in the second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1for urging the latches 144 to unlock the sliding connection 118B.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spring 148 can be respectively connected withthe segment 116B and the actuating part 146. The spring 148 can bias theactuating part 146 to slide in the direction D1 for urging the latches144 to lock the sliding connection 118B.

With the aforementioned construction, the latches 124 of the lockingmechanism 120 and the latches 144 of the locking mechanism 122 can slideparallel to one another for respectively locking and unlocking the twosliding connections 118A and 118B, and the actuating parts 126 and 146can move in the same direction D2 for urging the latches 124 and 144 torespectively unlock the two sliding connections 118A and 118B.

Referring to FIG. 3, the two locking mechanisms 120 and 122 are coupledto each other via a linking assembly 160 so that a movement of theactuating part 126 for urging the latches 124 to unlock the slidingconnection 118A can cause the actuating part 146 to move concurrentlyfor urging the latches 144 to unlock the sliding connection 118B. Inthis manner, the two locking mechanisms 120 and 122 can be unlocked atthe same time with one single operating step. According to an example ofconstruction, the linking assembly 160 can include a sheath 162 havingtwo opposite ends 162A and 162B, and a cable 164 having two oppositeends 164A and 164B. The cable 164 is received through the sheath 162with the two ends 164A and 164B of the cable 164 respectively protrudingoutside the sheath 162 at the two ends 162A and 162B thereof. In thelinking assembly 160, the cable 164 and the sheath 162 can sliderelative to each other.

The linking assembly 160 can be connected with the locking mechanism120, extend along the lengthwise axis Z of the support leg 106 past thelocking mechanism 122, and loop back and connect with the lockingmechanism 122. More specifically, the end 162A of the sheath 162 can beanchored to a coupling structure 166 on the actuating part 126, and theend 162B of the sheath 162 can be anchored to the segment 116B (e.g., byfixedly connecting the end 162B with the support mount 154). The end164A of the cable 164 can be anchored to the segment 116A (e.g., byfixedly connecting the end 164A with the support mount 134 of thesegment 116A), and the end 164B of the cable 164 can be anchored to theactuating part 146. Accordingly, the end 162A of the sheath 162 and theactuating part 126 are movable in unison relative to the segment 116A,the end 164B of the cable 164 and the actuating part 146 are movable inunison relative to the segment 116B, and the end 162B of the sheath 162and the end 164A of the cable 164 are respectively coupled movably withthe segments 116B and 116A. Once the linking assembly 160 is connectedwith the locking mechanisms 120 and 122, the linking assembly 160 canform a loop 168 between the two ends 162A and 162B of the sheath 162 andbetween the two ends 164A and 164B of the cable 164. According to anexample of construction, the linking assembly 160 may be routed througha channel provided in the support mount 154, the end 162B of the sheath162 can be anchored to a coupling structure 170 on the support mount154, and the loop 168 may be formed by a portion of the linking assembly160 that extends outside the support mount 154 between the channel andthe coupling structure 170 of the support mount 154. The loop 168 formedby the linking assembly 160 inside the support leg 106 can protrude awayfrom the two locking mechanisms 120 and 122.

With the aforementioned construction, the actuating button 130 can bedepressed to cause the two locking mechanisms 120 and 122 to unlock foradjusting the length of the support leg 106. When the actuating button130 is depressed, the actuating button 130 can push against theactuating part 126 so that the actuating part 126 slides in thedirection D2 for urging the latches 124 to move and unlock the slidingconnection 118A. The sliding displacement of the actuating part 126 inthe direction D2 can be transmitted via the linking assembly 160 tocause the actuating part 146 to slide in the same direction D2 forurging the latches 144 to move and unlock the sliding connection 118B.In particular, the actuating part 126 and the end 162A of the sheath 162can slide relative to the segment 116A in the direction D2 to change andincrease the length of the loop 168, which can cause the cable 164 tomove correspondingly relative to the sheath 162 and pull the actuatingpart 146 to slide in the same direction D2, which in turn urge thelatches 144 to move and unlock the sliding connection 118B. Accordingly,the two sliding connections 118A and 118B can be unlocked with onesingle operating step for adjustment of the support leg 106. Once thesupport leg 106 is adjusted to a desired length, the biasing forcesapplied by the springs 128 and 148 can respectively cause the latches124 and 144 to lock the sliding connections 118A and 118B.

Advantages of the support base for a child safety seat described hereininclude a support leg having a plurality of segments that can be lockedwith two locking mechanisms and can be unlocked for adjustment with onesingle operating step. Accordingly, the support leg is more convenientto operate for adjustment.

Realization of the support base for a child safety seat has beendescribed in the context of particular embodiments. These embodimentsare meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations,modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. These and othervariations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall withinthe scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support base for a child safety seat,comprising: a support leg operable to retract and expand at a bottom ofthe support base, the support leg including a plurality of segmentstelescopically connected with one another via a plurality of slidingconnections, the sliding connections including a first and a secondsliding connection, each of the first and second sliding connectionsrespectively coupling two adjacent ones of the segments; a first lockingmechanism including a first latch and a first actuating part connectedwith each other, the first latch being operable to lock the firstsliding connection for preventing relative sliding between the twosegments of the first sliding connection and to unlock the first slidingconnection for relative sliding adjustment between the two segments ofthe first sliding connection, and the first actuating part beingoperable to urge the first latch to move for unlocking the first slidingconnection; a second locking mechanism including a second latch and asecond actuating part connected with each other, the second latch beingoperable to lock the second sliding connection for preventing relativesliding between the two segments of the second sliding connection and tounlock the second sliding connection for relative sliding adjustmentbetween the two segments of the second sliding connection, and thesecond actuating part being operable to urge the second latch to movefor unlocking the second sliding connection; and a linking assemblycoupling the first locking mechanism to the second locking mechanism sothat a movement of the first actuating part for urging the first latchto unlock the first sliding connection causes the second actuating partto move concurrently for urging the second latch to unlock the secondsliding connection, wherein the linking assembly is connected with thefirst locking mechanism, extends along a lengthwise axis of the supportleg past the second locking mechanism, and loops back and connects withthe second locking mechanism.
 2. The support base according to claim 1,wherein the first and second actuating parts are movable in a samedirection for urging the first and second latches to respectively unlockthe first and second sliding connections.
 3. The support base accordingto claim 1, wherein the first and second latches slide parallel to eachother for respectively locking and unlocking the first and secondsliding connections, and the first and second actuating parts aremovable in a same direction for urging the first and second latches torespectively unlock the first and second sliding connections.
 4. Thesupport base according to claim 1, wherein the first latch and the firstactuating part are assembled with one of the two segments of the firstsliding connection for respectively sliding along a first and a secondaxis that are substantially orthogonal to each other.
 5. The supportbase according to claim 4, wherein the first actuating part includes aguide slot tilted an angle relative to the second axis, and the firstlatch has a protruding pin guided for sliding along the guide slot. 6.The support base according to claim 5, wherein the first actuating partslides in a first direction for urging the first latch to lock the firstsliding connection, and in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection for urging the first latch to unlock the first slidingconnection.
 7. The support base according to claim 6, wherein the firstlocking mechanism further includes a spring and an actuating button, thespring being connected with the first actuating part for biasing thefirst actuating part to slide in the first direction, and the actuatingbutton being operable to push the first actuating part to slide in thesecond direction.
 8. The support base according to claim 6, wherein thesecond latch and the second actuating part are assembled with one of thetwo segments of the second sliding connection similarly to the firstlatch and the first actuating part.
 9. The support base according toclaim 1, wherein the segments include a first, a second and a thirdsegment, the first sliding connection coupling the first segment to thesecond segment, and the second sliding connection coupling the secondsegment to the third segment, the first latch and the first actuatingpart being assembled with the first segment, and the second latch andthe second actuating part being assembled with the second segment.
 10. Asupport base for a child safety seat, comprising: a support leg operableto retract and expand at a bottom of the support base, the support legincluding a plurality of segments telescopically connected with oneanother via a plurality of sliding connections, the sliding connectionsincluding a first and a second sliding connection, each of the first andsecond sliding connections respectively coupling two adjacent ones ofthe segments; a first locking mechanism including a first latch and afirst actuating part connected with each other, the first latch beingoperable to lock the first sliding connection for preventing relativesliding between the two segments of the first sliding connection and tounlock the first sliding connection for relative sliding adjustmentbetween the two segments of the first sliding connection, and the firstactuating part being operable to urge the first latch to move forunlocking the first sliding connection; a second locking mechanismincluding a second latch and a second actuating part connected with eachother, the second latch being operable to lock the second slidingconnection for preventing relative sliding between the two segments ofthe second sliding connection and to unlock the second slidingconnection for relative sliding adjustment between the two segments ofthe second sliding connection, and the second actuating part beingoperable to urge the second latch to move for unlocking the secondsliding connection; and a linking assembly coupling the first lockingmechanism to the second locking mechanism so that a movement of thefirst actuating part for urging the first latch to unlock the firstsliding connection causes the second actuating part to move concurrentlyfor urging the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection;wherein the first latch and the first actuating part are assembled witha first segment of the support leg, the second latch and the secondactuating part are assembled with a second segment of the support leg,and the linking assembly includes a sheath and a cable received throughthe sheath, the cable being slidable through the sheath, the sheathhaving a first and a second end respectively anchored to the firstactuating part and the second segment, and the cable having a third anda fourth end respectively anchored to the first segment and the secondactuating part.
 11. The support base according to claim 10, wherein thelinking assembly forms a loop between the first and second ends of thesheath, a movement of the first actuating part for urging the firstlatch to unlock the first sliding connection causing a change in alength of the loop that results in the cable moving correspondinglyrelative to the sheath, thereby pulling the second actuating part toslide and urge the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection.12. A support base for a child safety seat, comprising: a support legoperable to retract and expand at a bottom of the support base, thesupport leg including a first, a second and a third segment, the firstand second segments being coupled to each other via a first slidingconnection, and the second and third segments being coupled to eachother via a second sliding connection; a first locking mechanismassembled with the first segment and including a first latch and a firstactuating part connected with each other, the first latch being operableto lock the first sliding connection for preventing relative slidingbetween the first and second segments and to unlock the first slidingconnection for relative sliding adjustment between the first and secondsegments, and the first actuating part being operable to urge the firstlatch to move for unlocking the first sliding connection; a secondlocking mechanism assembled with the second segment and including asecond latch and a second actuating part connected with each other, thesecond latch being operable to lock the second sliding connection forpreventing relative sliding between the second and third segments and tounlock the second sliding connection for relative sliding adjustmentbetween the second and third segments, and the second actuating partbeing operable to urge the second latch to move for unlocking the secondsliding connection; and a linking assembly coupling the first lockingmechanism to the second locking mechanism so that a movement of thefirst actuating part for urging the first latch to unlock the firstsliding connection causes the second actuating part to move concurrentlyfor urging the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection, thelinking assembly extending along a lengthwise axis of the support legpast the second locking mechanism and looping back for connection withthe second locking mechanism.
 13. The support base according to claim12, wherein the first and second latches slide parallel to each otherfor respectively locking and unlocking the first and second slidingconnections, and the first and second actuating parts are movable in asame direction for urging the first and second latches to respectivelyunlock the first and second sliding connections.
 14. The support baseaccording to claim 12, wherein the first latch and the first actuatingpart are respectively slidable along a first and a second axis that aresubstantially orthogonal to each other.
 15. The support base accordingto claim 14, wherein the first actuating part includes a guide slottilted an angle relative to the second axis, and the first latch has aprotruding pin guided for sliding along the guide slot.
 16. The supportbase according to claim 15, wherein the first actuating part slides in afirst direction for urging the first latch to lock the first slidingconnection, and in a second direction opposite to the first directionfor urging the first latch to unlock the first sliding connection. 17.The support base according to claim 16, wherein the first lockingmechanism further includes a spring and an actuating button, the springbeing connected with the first actuating part for biasing the firstactuating part to slide in the first direction, and the actuating buttonbeing operable to push the first actuating part to slide in the seconddirection.
 18. The support base according to claim 17, wherein the thirdsegment is pivotally connected with a shell of the support base, and theactuating button is assembled with the first segment adjacent to adistal end of the first segment.
 19. The support base according to claim12, wherein the linking assembly includes a sheath and a cable receivedthrough the sheath, the cable being slidable through the sheath, thesheath having a first and a second end respectively anchored to thefirst actuating part and the second segment, and the cable having athird and a fourth end respectively anchored to the first segment andthe second actuating part.
 20. The support base according to claim 19,wherein the linking assembly forms a loop between the first and secondends of the sheath, a movement of the first actuating part for urgingthe first latch to unlock the first sliding connection causing a changein a length of the loop that results in the cable moving correspondinglyrelative to the sheath, thereby pulling the second actuating part toslide and urge the second latch to unlock the second sliding connection.